Acts 15:19–41

¹⁹Therefore ^qI judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who ^rare turning to God, ²⁰but that we ^swrite to them to abstain ^tfrom things polluted by idols, ^ufrom ⁶sexual immorality, ^vfrom things strangled, and from blood. ²¹For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, ^wbeing read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

The Jerusalem Decree

²²Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named ^xBarsabas, ⁷and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

²³They wrote this letter by them:

The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,

To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

²⁴Since we have heard that ^ysome who went out from us have troubled you with words, ^zunsettling your souls, ⁸saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment—²⁵it seemed good to us, being assembled with one ⁹accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ^26amen who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. ²⁸For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: ^29bthat you abstain from things offered to idols, ^cfrom blood, from things strangled, and from ^dsexual ¹immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

Farewell.

Continuing Ministry in Syria

³⁰So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. ³¹When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. ³²Now Judas and Silas, themselves being ^eprophets also, ^fexhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. ³³And after they had stayed there for a time, they were ^gsent back with greetings from the brethren to ²the apostles.

³⁴³However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. ^35hPaul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Division Over John Mark

³⁶Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” ³⁷Now Barnabas ⁴was determined to take with them ⁱJohn called Mark. ³⁸But Paul insisted that they should not take with them ^jthe one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. ³⁹Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to ^kCyprus; ⁴⁰but Paul chose Silas and departed, ^lbeing ⁵commended by the brethren to the grace of God. ⁴¹And he went through Syria and Cilicia, ^mstrengthening the churches.